Interlayer coupling in [Er|Tb] superlattices.

We report on interlayer coupling in [Er[sub n](Er)Tb[sub n](Tb)] superlattices. By means of neutron diffraction, helix-like and conical magnetic structures are observed in an [Er[sub 20]Tb[sub 5]] sample. These structures are correlated across terbium layers at low temperatures, where bulk terbium is ferromagnetic. Moreover, resonant X-ray magnetic scattering gives clear evidence that the 5d conduction band of terbium is polarized according to the erbium magnetic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]